Today Sri Lanka will playing the second match of the 2 match test series against Pakistan wherein veteran batter Angelo Matthews will become the sixth Sri Lankan player to have played one hundred tests for the country.
Matthews was one of the most unassuming names people would have counted in the list of cricketers to have 100 Tests as his career was majorly plagued by injuries. Nevertheless, by making his debut 13 years ago, he has become a reliable middle order batsman, an exceptional fielder and an occasional bowler for his national side.
Today, on July 24, 2022, he joins the prestigious list of 72 players to have played 100 tests out of which , only six are Sri Lankan (including him).
6 Sri Lankans to play 100 Test matches in cricket history-
Before Angelo Matthews, only five SL players have reached this coveted landmark namely-
#1. Mahela Jayawardene
The mastermind has been the backbone of the Sri Lankan team and has been stood rock hard for the last decade and more. He has played 149 tests for his name and is counted in as one of the greats to have banged this record.
#2 Kumar Sangakkara – 134 tests
A aesthetic stroke player, astute thinking wicketkeeper batsman is the second SL player to have achieved this milestone. He has played 132 tests in his career which approximately lasted in long 15 years.
#3 Muttiah Muralitharan – 132 tests
The third SL player to have achieved this feat is the spin wizard, the one with 800 test wickets, Muttiah Muralitharan. Revered by his teammates and even by his opponents, Muralitharan has played 132 test matches for Sri Lanka.
#4. Chaminda Vaas – 111 tests
Certainly not one of the most dreaded bowlers in his time but the one whom you will associate to consistent, medium pacers who could bowl well enough for long hours was Chaminda Vaas. He went on to play 111 tests for Sri Lanka after making his debut in 1994.
#5Sanath Jayasuriya- 110 tests
Sri Lanka’s cricketer power and one of the most feared batsmen by the bowlers, S. Jayasuriya is the fifth SL player to have played more than 100 tests the country. He played 110 tests before bidding farewell to the this format in 2007.
#6 Angelo Matthews – 100* tests
The man in the news, the one who has taken the world by surprise by adding his name in the list is none other than , Angelo Matthews. He is playing his 100th test match today for SL against rivals Pakistan.
When asked about how is he feeling ahead of what is going to be one of the most memorable test for him, despite the result, he said that, “Jimmy Anderson is my inspiration. At the age of 40, he still delivering and he wants to do it for a couple of more years. It’s the drive that you have. This is not going to stop here and I still have few more years left“.
Being taken by surprise already to have witnessed him playing 100 test matches, people are indeed looking forward to the immense experience and skill sets Matthews is going to offer as he undoubtedly, has a huge amount of cricket left in him.
